The Mating of Michael

Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it's cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.

In the Middle of Somewhere

Daniel Mulligan is tough, snarky, and tattooed, hiding his self-consciousness behind sarcasm. Daniel has never fit in - not at home in Philadelphia with his auto mechanic father and brothers, and not at school where his Ivy League classmates looked down on him. Now, Daniel's relieved to have a job at a small college in Holiday, Northern Michigan, but he's a city boy through and through, and it's clear that this small town is one more place he won't fit in.

Knight of Ocean Avenue

How can you be 25 and not know you're gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy's life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Then, in preparation for his sister's big wedding, Billy meets Shaz - alias Chase Phillips - a rising-star celebrity stylist who defines the word gay.

Wolfsong

Ox was 23 when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his blood red eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces. It's been three years since that fateful day and the boy is back. Except now he's a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

Out of Nowhere: Middle of Somewhere, Book 2

The only thing in Colin Mulligan's life that makes sense is taking cars apart and putting them back together. In the auto shop where he works with his father and brothers, he tries to get through the day without having a panic attack or flying into a rage. Drinking helps. So does running and lifting weights until he can hardly stand. But none of it can change the fact that he's gay, a secret he has kept from everyone.

Crossroads

After divorcing the woman he'd been with since he was 17, Nick Fuller is starting over. He owns the restaurant of his dreams, and he's determined to meet new people, find new passions, and experience life to its fullest. Easier said than done - that is until he meets his new neighbor, Bryce Tanner. Neither man has ever wanted another guy, but there's a connection between Nick and Bryce from the start - a spark they can't deny.

Here for You

Cole Gannon arrives in the seaside town of Ocean Vista to work as a bartender and finally find a place to belong. Determined to make a home for himself, Cole lives happily with his four colorful roommates, whom he considers brothers. The only problem is Cole's attraction to Ian Stark - a guy all wrong for him. He wishes he didn't keep running into the sexy lawyer.

Owning Corey

When introverted doctor Ben Hardy's high-maintenance girlfriend wants to introduce a little more kink into their love life, he doesn't expect it to come in the form of the hunky new EMT who just moved to Blackwood. Ben's not gay, but damn! He can definitely see why all the women turn to mush when he's around: tall, blue eyes, body of an underwear model. The prospect of being naked in the same room with him is horrifying. So why the hell is he considering it?

The Law of Attraction

Alec Rowland is a high-flying lawyer in a London firm, whose career is his life. He doesn't have time for relationships, and his sexuality is a closely guarded secret. After picking up a cute guy on a Friday night, Alec's world is rocked to its foundations when his one night stand shows up in the office on Monday morning - as the new temp on his team.

The Queen & the Homo Jock King: At First Sight

Do you believe in love at first sight? Sanford Stewart sure doesn't. In fact, he pretty much believes in the exact opposite, thanks to the Homo Jock King. It seems Darren Mayne lives for nothing more than to create chaos in Sandy's perfectly ordered life, just for the hell of it. Sandy despises him, and nothing will ever change his mind. Or so he tells himself.

Home Again

Noah Forman wakes up in a hospital and can't remember how he got there. He holds it together, taking comfort in the fact that the man he has loved since childhood is on the way. But when his one and only finally arrives, Noah is horrified to discover that he doesn't remember anything from the past three years. Clark Lehman built a life around the person who insisted from their first meeting that they were meant to be together.

Not a Game: A Contemporary Gay Romance Novel

A new job, a new city, and hopefully a new life. When chubby gamer Oliver Barnaby receives a job offer from the best boutique game developer in the country, he leaves his family and his less than spectacular existence in Oklahoma without a second's hesitation. Determined to change more than his career and his geography, Oliver implements a plan to finally land a boyfriend. Step one is improving his skills in the bedroom.

The Heart of Texas: Texas Series, Book 1

Riley Hayes, the playboy of the Hayes family, is a young man who seems to have it all: money, a career he loves, and his pick of beautiful women. His father, CEO of HayesOil, passes control of the corporation to his two sons; but a stipulation is attached to Riley's portion. Concerned about Riley's lack of maturity, his father requires that Riley 'marry and stay married for one year to someone he loves'. Angered by the requirement, Riley seeks a means of bypassing his father's stipulation.

Perfect Imperfections

Reg Moore has fun talking and drinking with "The" Jeremy Jameson and can't say no when the supposedly straight rock star makes him a once-in-a-lifetime offer: keep him company on his tour by playing the part of his boyfriend.

The Truth as He Knows It: Perspectives, Book 1

Officer Noel Carlson isn't out to anyone in small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, so a relationship is out of the question. That doesn't stop him from wanting one, though. When a night-shift call brings him face-to-thonged-butt with a hired stripper whose girl-party gig went terribly wrong, Noel takes pity on the guy and lets him go. But he can't get the encounter out of his mind.

Silver & Black

Brian Silver is CEO of the world's largest coffeehouse chain in the world, Silver Coffee. Growing up in a wealthy family, Silver had it all: money, fame, and any man he wanted, but that was never enough. Silver wants more. Greyson Black is a coffeehouse barista in one of the Silver Coffee chains in downtown Manhattan. Greyson is finishing school and determined to find the best path for his life.

Boys

Twenty-five-year-old Jag Huntington loves straight men. He can't help it. Something about their macho allure intrigues him. But Jag has never even managed to have a straight man as a friend. His best friend, Tyson Hopper, and Tyson's boyfriend, Howard Steinman, invite Jag out for a night with the gay boys and Howard's sister, Virginia. When Virginia brings her straight boyfriend, Carson Phelps, Jag's attraction to the 30-year-old stud is instant.

Between Sinners and Saints

Levi Binder is a Miami bartender who cares about only two things: sex and surfing. Ostracized by his Mormon family for his homosexuality, Levi is determined to live his life his own way, but everything changes when he meets massage therapist Jaime Marshall.

The Backup Boyfriend: Boyfriend Chronicles Series, Book 1

Professionally, Dr. Alec Johnson has almost reached his goals. As this year's recipient of a humanitarian award with his ex, Dr. Tyler Hall, Alec's work with the homeless is about to be recognized. Unfortunately, his personal life sucks because now he has to attend several events alongside Tyler - with his ex's new boyfriend in tow. In an attempt to lift his mood and break out of his rut, Alec purchases a motorcycle he has no idea how to start.

One True Thing

Dustin Davis spent years wishing for a prince, but kissing frog after slimy frog. When he sees Archer Kyriakides for the first time, Dusty thinks his luck has finally changed. Archer could be it. The one. But their hot and cold romance leaves Dusty confused: Why does it feel right one moment and wrong the next? It doesn't make sense - until the day Dusty meets Archer's identical twin, Asher, and realizes he's been seeing them both.

Island Doctor: Island Medics, Book 1

Dr. Jeff Martin has spent five years as a rural general practitioner on the Isle of Wight, hiding the fact he's gay. He travels in secret to see his partner, Tris, but when he discovers Tris has been cheating on him, he ends their relationship. Then Jeff meets island native Cameron Gillard. Cameron is down to earth and lively and treats Jeff like he's the most important person in his life. Jeff blooms under Cameron's attention, and he decides to come out to his colleagues and friends.

Safe in His Arms

In the late-night quiet of the caravan park shower room, Lon Taylor washes away the filth of the Western Australian mines. He's not looking for anyone, but when Casey offers, Lon doesn't turn him down. Welcoming the young man in his big, hairy arms, Lon provides a safety to Casey that he has never known, and Casey wants to stay forever. Still reeling from the breakup of his family years ago, Lon's not sure he's ready for the responsibility of the comfort and security Casey craves.

Then the Stars Fall

The death of his wife four years earlier left Travis Bennett a shell of the man he used to be. With his dog by his side, Travis raises his three children, manages his business, and works as a ranch hand. But every day, every minute, is an aching emptiness.

Publisher's Summary

You can't choose who you fall in love with. Despite assuming from a young age that he was gay, Scott Murphy couldn't imagine life without Shelly. He threw away the label he'd stuck on his sexuality and had 11 amazing years with her, but now, he feels even more lost trying to figure out how to move on after Shelly's death. After nearly a year of watching Scott fade away, Shelly's father forces him to start living again.

As much as Chris loathes the idea of attending a bereavement group week after week, it's one of the only places he can go in this town, other than the bar, to not feel so alone. When there's nothing to distract him or dull his senses, he spends too much time obsessing over how he should have been able to help his sister. When Scott shows up at his group session, Chris decides that maybe some good can come out of his sister's death.

There's no denying that Chris is the first man to catch Scott's attention in a long time, but how can he move on when just thinking of Shelly sends him to his dark place?

The road to recovery won't be an easy one, but Chris is determined to help Scott see that life is still worth living. But before Scott can allow himself to admit what he feels for Chris, he knows he has to reveal the full truth about Shelly's death.

I have given four stars for story, though I really can't be sure what it is worth. It's hard to judge a book when the narration is poor. In this case, almost the whole book is read in a croaky monotone. That seemed apt in the beginning when the main character was deeply depressed. But then completely at odds with the words being read later on. It is also pitched so low, apparently at the very bottom of the narrator's register, that there is even less scope for expression of voice. There is no apparent attempt to differentiate between the voices/accent of the two main characters - which makes it very confusing when they are the only two participants in much of the dialogue. The other characters, especially the few female characters, are given ludicrous voice/accent characteristics, that are so laughable that it is really distracting and removes any sense of realism in their characterisations.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Carl E. Reed

19/06/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Don't buy this book, I'm sorry I did"

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Why in the hell would you start a book with a suicide?

Why does the narrator mispronounce the simplest words?

Has Godsend turned you off from other books in this genre?

Nope I love this genre but I will look twice to see who is the narrator

Would you be willing to try another one of Christopher Rain’s performances?

Hell no

Any additional comments?

Whatever you do, don't start a flipping love story with a flipping suicide!!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Michael H

California

24/01/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Sweet Story, Dreadful Narration"

Would you consider the audio edition of Godsend to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version

What did you like best about this story?

It is a lovely story about how hope and love can carry you out of the depths of dispair

How could the performance have been better?

While the narrator had a nice voice there were two things that kept me from enjoying it: his narration was stilted and did not flow consistently and I lost count of how many words he mispronounced. My favorite was saying "chassis" for "chaise".

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The epilogue was particularly poignant.

Any additional comments?

Does anybody listen to the finished product before it is released? If so, they should have caught and edited the mispronunciations.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Rob

22/08/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Sorry but I didn't like this one"

Godsend was a struggle for me. I persisted and listened to the end, however I very nearly gave up on quite a few occasions. It's not even that he is gay and married a woman, or that the woman knew and wanted to marry him also that was necessarily odd with this book. I just felt right from the first moments that the whole premise on which the book was based was unrealistic. It just never 'felt' right to me.

This feeling was backed up by several other events in the book. His running away when they went for coffee, I mean, how old is he? 11? The coincidence that Chris happened to be the one who almost ran into him causing his ankle to break. The nurses' assumptions, quite unprofessionally, that he was gay because it was a man he came to hospital with. Chris's relationship with his father...what was that all about? Chris is a 35 year old professional not a 15 year old school boy!

For me, the book was just full of flawed logic and unrealistic circumstances that must have prevented me from feeling empathy for the characters. Because, to be honest, I didn't feel empathy at all for Scott. I am one who is usually very able to empathize with characters, but I just never really cared. This MAY have been the result of what I thought was quite poor narration.

Christopher Rain's whinging voice almost drove me insane. His tendency to drop his tone at the end of sentences led to my feeling that the main characters were just wallowing, self piteous cretins! And the voice characterization of Chris's mother was unbelievably bad. It grated me to the point of my being unable to concentrate on what she was saying from my focus on how bad her voice was.

I am not usually one to write 'bad' reviews. I understand people respond differently to the same story and that many people enjoyed this novel. I, however, did not enjoy this completely humorless and morbid book and as such, I cannot recommend it.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Larry

06/08/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"meh"

I had never heard "thermos", "invalid", "chaise", and "plethora" pronounced the way that this narrator pronounced them, but he did a nice job, otherwise.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

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